Remember Maria / by John G. Howells.

  • Howells, John G.
Date:
1974
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: Remember Maria / by John G. Howells. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    JOHN G. HOWELLS 65 To give point to the discussion the findings of an ethological study will be presented. Finally, the implication of these studies from our point of view will be summarized. THE EXTENT OF THE MISCONCEPTION In the clinical fìeld, it has always been evident that most children who are deprived of proper care are so deprived by being in a condition of non-separation, while living with their parents — deprivation reflects the relationship between themselves and their parents. However, the misconception has grown that emotional ill-health in children results not through parental inadequacy, but through separation. Thus separation is assumed to be a dangerous operation for the child, to be avoided at all costs. The child's own home is reputed to be better for him than any other home. To review the whole literature on this topic would be too lengthy, and therefore a few sample statements are taken at random to show how widespread is this misconception. The following statements reflect the view of the informed public. 'How seriously and lastingly young children may suffer if separated for even a day or two from their mothers. . . has been abundantly proved' (The Observer, 15 February, 1959). 'As many parents know only too well the effects on a small child of separation from its mother can persist for a very long time' {The Sunday Times, 15 September, 1968). 'It is increasingly reaUsed that mother—child separation may be harmful to young children even if separation lasts only for a few days' {Pulse, 21 August, 1971). Expert opinion from respected authorities is often slanted in the same direction: 'On the truely psychological side there is evidence that separation from the parent or parent substitute before the age of 5 may have a serious effect on the emotional growth of children and may form the basis of neurotic reactions in later life.' The Part of the Family Doctor in the Mental Health Service, 1961, London; Ministry of Health. 'Bowlby's work needs to be taken seriously because of his immense contribution to medical and popular understanding of the harm done to little children by separation from their mothers, harm that is liable to lead to a permanent distortion of the personality and character' (Winnicott, D. W. (1962). Br. med. J. I, 305). 'If there is a break between the mother and child in the neonatal child of about a month or more, this commences deliquency in later life' (Rendle-Short, T. J. Medical News, 13 June 1969). Heading in Medical Tribune {\6 October, 1969): ' Separation from a parent plays a major role in the aetiology of psychiatric illness according to Dr. J. Bowlby, Director of the Tavistock Clinic's Department for children and adults'. 'Mothers